I finally got off of the fence and ordered a VA Smart E box, the 0-70-110 HP version. I bought the tuner from Kennedy. The unit was ordered on Thursday and arrived at my house on Saturday...that is what I call customer service!!! :)

The tuner is very smooth, the power comes on just like in stock trim, but just more of it. :D The 110 setting is darn impressive, the engine approaches red line really fast...I have to row the 6 speed :driver: darn quick to keep up with it!!!

I will be towing my 33' 5er this weekend, I'll post my observations next week.

MaxRock

What kind of egt's are you seeing?

I haven't pushed the truck too hard. Getting on it pretty hard set on 110 HP tune, I reached 1100 deg in short order. On my EGT gauge, this is just at the max of the green zone. Normal driving is about the same as stock...which I guess should be expected. The EGTs seem to be manageable...but I do have the larger exhaust.

I am not a hotrodder, I was just after a little more punch for towing. As mentioned, I'll be pulling my 5er this weekend and will post my results next week.

MaxRock

Well how did it tow?

I was very impressed with the increased power. I was only able to travel on a major highway for no more than about 10 miles, the rest of the trip was on a hilly, 2 lane farm-to-market road...approximately 30 miles. The truck pulled the 5er well, I was able to slow down to 55 MPH at the bottom of a hill and accelerate to 65 while climbing a hill with the trans in 6th gear.

The EGTs while on the 4 lane highway cruising 65 was in the 500 to 750 degree range, was in the 1100 range pulling the small hills. Over all I am very pleased.

MaxRock

MaxRock,
It sounds like this might be the best "moderate" tuner for the 6-speed. Thanks for the review. Do you notice any torque improvements right off idle? Or does the increased power come on only at the higher rpms? Also, are you running the latest version of the dual mass flywheel? Does it make any noise on the hotter tune? Thanks for the info.

Jon

Jon,

The power comes on very smooth, similar to stock, but as manny put it..."just more of it" I don't notice a real big improvement in torque until around 1400 RPMs, you can tell the truck starts to pull stronger. When you reach 1800 RPMs, hang on to your seat. The beast comes alive and away you go. I typically don't shift in the upper RPM range, mostly shift out at 2500 when pulling on relatively flat terrain. You get a little black smoke when the next higher gear is engaged...could be I'm not winding the gears up high enough.

I do have the latest DMF...no extra noises yet! I played with a convertable Jag last week and put it on 110 for a quick pass. Everything held fine...but I guess time will tell.

MaxRock

yeah, its hard to find good customer support as john kennedy gives, I myself ordered today again from him and received email stuff is on the way all ready. two thumbs up.
and he's not a bull****ter either. will sale you what you need not whats the most money and blah blah blah. thanks again john!

Did a quick little 500 mile weekend trip with my better half. Left the VA on 70 for the trip (running solo, no trailer). It didn't seem to have an effect on the MPG...I got 20.2 pretty close to what I typically get. With the weather heating up, my MPG seems to fall off a couple of tenths. I believe my next tank I will turn the VA off to see if there is any impact.

MaxRock

Glad to see you are liking the box. Overall, it is real sweet.

After logging 2000 miles with it, the only thing that I have noticed is a spurratic small pop of acceleration here and there. Mostly coming into the throttle. So minimal that I am not entirely sure that it is the box......but who knows.

I was able to keep neck and neck with an 03 suburban pulling a 10% grade today to 75 mph. From the stop at the bottom of the hill to the top I was unable to pass on 70hp. I didnt want to flip to 150. I was towing ~3000 lbs of manure though......not bad.......

It cant be long until my DMF takes a dump though.

manny,

Do you slip your clutch on the 150 setting? I have played with the 110 and on a couple of runs, the clutch had a funny feel to it...real spongy on top and engaged closer to the floor board. After a few miles of driving everything went back to normal.

I got a bad feeling I'm slipping my clutch and heating up the clutch fluid. I sure hope SD comes up with a replacement flywheel/clutch set up soon.

MaxRock

Max,
I have got maybe a mile on the truck running 150 with a heavy foot.

I went WOT once on the freeway from 65-well, fast. I heard a pretty good rattle, possibly the clutch slipping. I dont even want to try again to see if that is really whats going on. 70 does real nice for me.....

I dont ever want to have to plunk down big bucks just so I can run 150. Its not a priority at all.......

In fact, i am not even sure what the power ratings are on it. I bought it second hand, and it was never on any paperwork. I trust the guy, but who knows.

What kinda mileage are you seeing? Any gains?

have a good one

What happens when ya turn it on the highest setting once in 6th? Does it still harm the clutch? Are you seeing any problems with running them on 70 with the stock DMF and clutch.Thanks

It will slip 4-6 gears the easiest. 6th being the most likely to slip.

Time will tell with the 70 horse setting.......but it wont slip. Seems like the DMF;s are weak, even at stock power levels.

manny,

I ran the truck on the 70 HP setting for 2 tanks...mileage was 20.2 and 20.1. This is about the same as bone stock. I was hoping for a little gain, but an additional 70 HP and no harm in the fuel economy department ain't all bad.

I towed my 33' 5th wheel with the VA on 70. The extra power was really nice and the clutch seemed to hold without any slippage. This is the main reason for the tuner...pulling my 5er. Playing on the road with it is just an added benefit!!! :D

MaxRock